`Extras` In Bond Plan Worry Commissioner

September 19, 1987|By JEAN DUBAIL, Staff Writer

The proposed $303 million bond issue going to Palm Beach County voters in November would do much more than build a new courthouse and extra jail space, a fact that at least one county commissioner considers a potential liability.

The bond issue includes several capital projects long sought by Sheriff Richard Wille, including a new motor pool, an indoor firing range, a driver- training track and a facility for detonation of explosives. The price tag for these projects approaches $14 million.

That`s not much in terms of the overall bond issue, but Commissioner Ken Adams said he fears that it might be just enough to alarm skittish voters and drag down the entire proposal.

``I feel reasonably certain there`s going to be a need eventually for some of those items, but I`m not at all certain it`s best to put them in this bond issue,`` Adams said. ``We shouldn`t put anything in there that would detract from the credibility of the courthouse and jail, because they are absolutely urgent.``

Other commissioners are less worried about a possible backlash from voters.

``We`re talking a few extra cents on the tax bill for an increase in efficiency and effectiveness for the sheriff,`` Commissioner Carol Roberts said. ``If we explain it in the proper manner, the public will understand.``

``I don`t think they`re going to be looked at as goodies,`` Commissioner Karen Marcus said. ``It`s all in the method of explanation.``

The decision to include these items in the proposal was made not by the sheriff, but by the county staff and, ultimately, the County Commission.

``These are all crime-related issues, and we wanted to take this at the voters at one time,`` said Bill Hoffman, an aide to County Administrator Jan Winters and point man in the county`s effort to pass the bond issue. ``This was deemed an appropriate means, and an appropriate time, to seek funding.``

Georgette Carroll, the sheriff`s budget director, said the county`s rapid growth has made it imperative to meet these needs, and meet them simultaneously.

``Every part of criminal justice affects another part,`` Carroll said. ``If you only solve one-half of the issue, eventually the taxpayers will have to pay for the other half.``

Besides the firing range and other facilities, the sheriff`s portion of the bond proposal includes $48 million for construction of a 756-bed addition to the county jail, $6.3 million for a 300-bed addition to the Belle Glade jail, and $5.1 million for a 256-bed addition to the county stockade.

Adams has asked Winters and Hoffman to re-examine the proposal to see whether it should be limited to these detention-related projects.

Adams also is uncomfortable with one part of the proposal for a $223 million courthouse in West Palm Beach: a $1.2 million provision for graphics and art work.

``That might be nice, but is it really necessary?`` Adams asked.

He suggested that private sources could be tapped to pay for any artwork in the building.

Hoffman said any building would seem unfinished without some decoration.

Besides, he said, all figures, including the $303 million total, are tentative. They are based on worst-case estimates of the cost of all goods going into the projects and typical fees for architects, engineers and other professionals.

Officials expect the actual costs to be lower, after bidding and negotiations with suppliers. Under state law, however, they cannot arrange for such services until the money has been secured.

``The county`s under no obligation or commitment to spend $300 million,`` Hoffman said.